The second instalment of the Sal's NBL Trade Window is just around the corner and talks between teams are intensifying. Last year, the first time a dedicated mid-season trade period where players could move to a new team was implemented, four players switched colours, but this year there is growing talk that most if not all teams are looking at how they can benefit from the trade period.
Under the competition's unique salary rules, if a team brings in a player during the Trade Window (9am M0nday May 5 - 6pm Monday May 12) they will receive a salary cap boost to accommodate the incoming player or players' agreements, which could also see any incoming player or players receive a pay bump on their previous agreement, which looms as a major carrot.
Such possibilities open up a raft of opportunities for teams and players, and in a close competition every team will be aware of the advantages (or disadvantages) of the trade period if they do (or don't) participate.
The Trade Window also allows for 'sign & trade' scenarios, which will likely see some teams sign previously un-signed players hours before the window opens and then immediately trade the player to a new team. The 'sign & trade' scenarios have seen teams already negotiating options and opportunities for weeks with the likes of Jordan Ngatai, Jordan Hunt and Zach Riley all believed to be central to those discussions.
One key rule of the Trade Window is any player involved must fully agree to a move - if the player doesn't agree, then they remain where they are. The window also permits teams, player agents and players to freely talk with other teams as all parties explore options. Any player traded to a new team must also remain on the roster of the new team for the rest of the season.
Open For Business - Trade Window 2025
Sky Sport commentator Justin Nelson, the key architect of the Trade Window introduced in 2024, brings out the 'trade crystal ball' for the first time this season to throw up a number of hypothetical trade scenarios that might, could or will go down during this year's Trade Window.
From the start of the Trade Window last year the view was it would take teams (and players) a few seasons to figure out the advantages of participating, and after four players moved to new digs last season, I expect things to ramp up this year with all teams picking up the phone to talk through possible moves. There is no doubt that teams and players further understand the benefits and opportunities of the trade period in 2025.
One team to watch could be the Indian Panthers who, if they have stopped and thought about their options, could be in the thick of the trade window action given they have a number of Kiwis who are progressively making way for incoming Indian national players. When you consider what we have seen from the likes of Jaylen Gerrand, Dante Matakatea, Cooper Lepou and Zack Te Puni, I think the Panthers could be busy taking a few calls come Monday May 5.
I also think at least three 'sign & trade' scenarios will figure prominently with Jordan Ngatai, Jordan Hunt and Zach Riley all set to be available and involved in some creative wheeling and dealing between teams. In particular, experienced Tall Black and proven Sal's NBL star Ngatai could be a key to unlocking a number of possible trades.
After a 'dabble' during last year's inaugural trade period, I think this year we will see all 12 teams engage in conversations that could lead to a player arriving and the subsequent salary cap boost that comes with it. The trade window is all about providing teams with a chance to boost their roster with something they need, but perhaps most importantly, the players are the biggest winners with added money and playing opportunities up for grabs.
Here's a number of trade scenarios to whet appetites - all hypothetical of course ... or are they?
Hypothetical Trade #1
Caleb Asberry, Sharks to the Panthers
Jaylen Gerrand, Panthers to the Sharks
Unless the Panthers sign Gerrand to a full-season agreement, the shooting guard is expected to be hot property around the league given his performances this season (and he deserves it). The Sharks need an import PG and to bring one in they will need to let go of an existing import as they already have three - that might be Caleb Asberry given Keylan Boone (SF) and Josiah Allick (PF - injury pending) look best placed to play alongside Sam Timmins (C). This might open the door for a deal to be done with the Indian Panthers, where import spots are available and a player like Asberry would be a nice fit for the new team as they continue to bring in Indian nationals, and especially now that they have released Alex Robinson. The ideal player on the current Panthers roster who would sit nicely beside a new Sharks import PG is Kiwi Jaylen Gerrand, who has been in terrific form and has shown he is ready for a longer-term contract - it would give the Sharks potentially a new-look starting five of New Import (PG), Gerrand or Burton (SG), Boone (SF), Allick (PF), Timmins (C), with a versatile and constantly improving Tukaha Cooper as a key player off the bench. Having the flexibility of both Burton and Gerran provides a lot of options for coach Jonathan Yim. This hypothetical trade makes perfect sense with both teams winning from it.
Hypothetical Trade #2
Zach Riley, Bulls sign and trade to the Tuatara
Jordan Hunt, Tuatara sign and trade to the Bulls
Christian Vano, Bulls to the Tuatara
There are a couple of moving parts to his one. Firstly, it has been widely rumoured the Bulls and Tuatara have been negotiating (for some time) a sign & trade deal involving Jordan Hunt and Zach Riley, which on the surface looks a good move for both teams. But given both teams are likely to figure in the race for the playoffs, and maybe even a championship, does it open the door for one or both teams to push for a little bit more? In the case of the Tuatara, they could do with some more roster depth, while at the Bulls they have the opposite problem of having too many chefs in the kitchen and the spread of minutes amongst such a deep roster is maybe going to see the likes of Christian Vano, who is a very talented youngster, squeezed out of playing opportunities (played 10 seconds against the Rams). Is this an opportunity for the Tuatara to add some more depth and also give a rising talent some added minutes? Knowing the Bulls want Hunt, there could be an opportunity for the Tuatara to play hard ball and push for a bit more in return.
Hypothetical Trade #3
Jordan Ngatai, Sharks sign and trade to the Saints
Kazlo Evans Jr, Saints to the Sharks
The first of four hypothetical trades involving Jordan Ngatai. The drums are beating loudly around the Saints and their desire to do a deal with any team that can help the 12-time champs land Jordan Ngatai during the trade period. However, as the Saints will know, they will need to give something up in return, and this is where things become a little complicated. The Saints aren't about to ship out one of their starting stars, and it is highly unlikely they will want to part with the versatile Rangimarie Dougall-Mita who many teams would love to trade for, so to land Nagatai they will either need to find their own Kiwi sign & trade player (Jordan Hunt?) to send to a team, or see if a player like Kazlo Evans Jr would like an opportunity to play more Sal's NBL minutes and get a bump in his pay packet. Which team needs guard depth right now? Say hello to the Southland Sharks - a landing spot likely to deliver Evans Jr a boost in playing opportunities and pay, remembering right now Evans Jr is planted behind two of the competition's most elite guards - Shea Ili and Izayah Le'afa.
Hypothetical Trade #4
Jordan Ngatai - Whai sign and trade to Hawks
Clifton Bush III - Hawks to Whai
Jordan Ngatai is set to return to NZ off the back of his current Euro gig and the two teams with the strongest ties to the experienced Tall Black are the Hawks and Saints. It's fair to say the Hawks are moving into a championship window right now with their exciting mix of youth and experience, and the addition of Ngatai could be the key ingredient down the stretch. Clifton Bush III showed in early games while the Hawks were awaiting the arrival of Grida, Lo Buluk and Yates that he is versatile and more than capable of playing more minutes. If the minutes for Bush III are going to drop at the Hawks following the influx of the Illawarra Hawks trio, perhaps a spot with the young and energetic Whai is worth a look - he would be a very handy SF who could add some quality depth, height and athleticism to Matt Lacey's team, which is arguably what they need most.
Hypothetical Trade #5
Jordan Ngatai - Giants sign and trade to Saints
Rangimarie Dougall-Mita - Saints to Giants
Giants coach Mike Fitchett could call on his Tall Blacks relationship with Jordan Ngatai to swing a creative deal and boost his team's playing and outside shooting stocks by landing Rangimarie Dougall-Mita. While this deal looks a long shot on the surface - not because of the Saints wanting to find a way to bring in Ngtai, but more so the unlikely scenario of Dougall-Mita being available, it would be a crafty move by the Giants. However, there are some wins here for everyone. Ngatai is featuring prominently in a number of scenarios and he could prove to unlock a number of moves. The Saints want Ngatai, that's widely known, and maybe the Giants can help. With the Giants soon to lose Jones, Crate and probably Matthews to international duties, it opens up a big role for Dougall-Mita and a bigger pay packet to what he'd be getting at the Saints.
Hypothetical Trade #6
Jordan Ngatai - Saints sign and trade to the Airs
Quintin Bailey - Airs to the Saints
The fourth hypothetical trade involving Ngatai centres on some reverse-thinking involving the Saints. As much as the Saints would dearly love to add Ngatai during the trade period, if no other team can help them out then maybe they can go in a different direction and land a back-up power forward via Ngatai, who might be willing to help his former team out? Ngatai would be a very nice fit for the Airs, while the Saints would love a back-up tall given Troy Plumtree has departed for the United States. The smart and resourceful Bailey would suit the Saints style of play, he's a solid rim-runner, and he could be a major asset behind Muszynski and Harris. On the flipside, the Airs would love to land a player of Ngatai's experience and talent.
Hypothetical Trade #7
Dante Matakatea, Panthers to the Giants
The Trade Window doesn't necessarily mean a player must be swapped each way between teams, you can also bring in a player from another team without giving a player up - which we are likely to see this year given a number of Kiwis who have been helping the Indian Panthers out might now be in a position to take on a position with another team in the second half of the season. Dante Matakatea has shown more than enough with the Panthers to be given an opportunity elsewhere via the trade period. The Giants could be the perfect landing spot for the versatile and hard-working Matakatea given they will soon lose Hayden Jones, Lachie Crate and maybe even James Matthews to international duties. It's worth a thought.
Hypothetical Trade #8
Zack Te Puni (Panthers) to the Nuggets
Similar to Matakatea, incoming Indian nationals will soon leave a few players without a job at the Panthers, and Zack Te Puni has shown he brings good size and rebounding to a team … these just happen to be two commodities the Nuggets might be chasing. It’s a potential win-win for Te Puni and the Nuggets.
Hypothetical Trade #9
Tyson Thata-Paese - Jets to the Nuggets or Sharks
Tyson Thata-Paese is dominating the Sky Broadband Rapid League (top scorer) and could loom as a target for a number of teams given he is playing minimal minutes at the Jets behind Corey Webster and Dontae Russo-Nance. The dashing guard is worthy of more burn in the Sal's NBL and a pay bump would be nice, and that might see interest come from the Nuggets, or maybe even the Sharks, who could both do with a creative guard with a nose for scoring.
Hypothetical Trade #10
Kaia Isaac - Rams to the Nuggets
Mac Stodart - Nuggets to Rams
If there is one team that could take a backseat during the trade period it is the Rams, who arguably have every base already covered and don't really need to add any pieces. However, the trade period isn't just about what teams want, it is also about what players might be looking for. One thing that might spark some interest amongst Rams players is an opportunity for more minutes and a bigger pay packet given the 2023/24 champs have so many mouths to feed, and amongst the guard rotation they still have Sean Macdonald to add. One player who springs to mind who could take major minutes in a starting role elsewhere, and a nice pay rise, is Kaia Isaac, who I think would be of major interest to Mike Kelly and the Nuggets. If they could somehow pull off such a move, however unlikely it is, the Nuggets could enter the second half of the season with formidable starting unit of Carey Jr (PG), K.Isaac (SG), Jaylen Sebree (SF), Perez (F) Jonno Janssen (F/C). If the Rams want a player in return, they already have a strong connection with Mac Stodart. This hypothetical trade has about a 1% chance of happening, but it's good food for thought.
